HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0345.003 2010-2012Murashige, Laura
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PI cowocn
From: David Dart [alpineairhawaii @yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 7:51 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us"
Subject: Fw: Aquirium Ban (Against A Ban)
From: David Dart
all SEP 19 Pfrl
23
OOUN '
During last legislative session SB -580 was dramatically changed from aquirium fishery ban to
additional MPA's in Maui. William Aila the head of DLNR stated at that time he did not see a
need for a ban according to his department's scientific survey's and studies. Dr Bill Walsh
stated "as I mentioned to you before, the aquirium fishery can be successfully managed. DAR
and many other folks in West Hawaii are wholeheartly working on it ".
I have been a commercial fisherman for 35 years first diving the Kona coast and Oahu as a
student at UH. Since graduating from UH in 1971 I have been a permit holder in seven science
based North Pacific fisheries. I believe strongly in fishery management that ensures
sustainability through science and have personally worked toward that end participating with
the West Hawaii Fisheries Council as a council member or as an alternate to my son when he
was a council member.
For the last dozen years, the West Hawaii Fisheries Council, relying heavily on the scientific
surveys and studies performed by DAR's Dr. Bill Walsh and his able staff, have crafted a blue
print for a sustainable future for the fishery. The highly successful FRA's (fish replenishment
areas) where no aquarium fish collection is allowed for 36% of the West Hawaii coastline is the
largest reserve percentage wise of any fishery in the country.
A white list of has been created and submitted to DLNR to allow only certain species to be
collected. Size limits of certain species have also been submitted protecting the breeding
population dramatically boosting the sustainability of the fishery. A limited entry program has
been proposed also by the West Hawaii Fisheries Council.
** *Due to the FRA's, and MPA's (marine protected areas) our island visitors will always have
pristine reef areas in which to view large fish populations in easily accessible areas around all
major resorts and the entire coast line of Kailua- Kona * **
The blue print of regulating the aquarium fishery can be used to keep all fisheries open without
total bans.
"Here's a quote from a Cesar 2002 study "Mortality rates of aquarium fish are low and have gone down
considerably since the last survey in 1984. Currently, mortality rates from collection to wholesaler are estimated at
0 to 1 percent ".
The 2011 state legislature after viewing the evidence, did not see a need for an aquirium fishery ban and neither
should the Hawaii County Council.
Comm. No. 3 4-5. 3
Ref. To:briumgmg
Ref. Date SEP 21 2011
9/19/2011